Battlestar Galactica

Past, Present, Future

Chapter Fifteen

The New Fleet

It took nearly two full sectars to retrieve the eleven ships that were deemed salvageable by Colonel Starbuck and Chief Vitron. There were several others that may have been saved, but their position in the cloud made any attempt to recover them unfeasible. After several meetings with his senior staff, Apollo decided that the twelve ships they had recovered would be sufficient to accommodate their growing population for the next few decades.

This did not however stop Chief Vitron and his salvage teams from stripping every viable piece of equipment they could from those ships being left behind. He was able to salvage a score of energizers of various sizes, a dozen turbodynes, and nearly two hundred laser generators ranging in size from those used in fighters to the huge laser cannons of the Gunstars. Nothing that was of any value was left behind.

Doctor Wilker and his electronics techs had done the same thing with the electronics of the old ships of the Second Fleet, thou there was far less of value in this area due to the fact that most of the operating systems of the fleet were so outdated. They did however manage to access the ships computers and the ships logs from almost every vessel, thus supplying Cadet Sabo with a veritable gold mine of information to go thru and add to the Fleet archives.

Even after the ships had been pulled free of their dusty prison, it would require a good bit of work to get them back in serviceable order, thou this was made much easier by the excellent preservation work done by the former crews of the Second Fleet. With crews working around the chronometer, it took almost three full sectons to get each of the twelve vessels up and running.

Now came the task of designating who would command each of the old warships!

"Hey Boomer, wait up!" Starbuck yelled to his friend as he rounded the corner on his way to the "war room".

"Hurry up then, I don't want to be late." Boomer said as Starbuck jogged up to him. "Do you have your list of recommendations finished?"

"Sure do." Starbuck said with his usual light attitude. "I finished them up this morning. You know Boomer; I never realized how many people you needed to make up a command staff until now. I sure don't envy you and Apollo, having to pick the final crews for the new fleet."

"Yea, well don't count your blessings yet old buddy, I have a feeling that you'll be sitting right there with us, after all, you'll have to choose all the new strike wing and squadron leaders as well as giving them their new designations."

Starbucks easy going smile was quickly replaced by a frown at hearing this.

"Frak! I hadn't thought of that." He said "Maybe Apollo will let the new Commanders choose their own leaders and designations?"

"I doubt it." Boomer said with a smirk as they arrived at the "war room".

As they entered, they found that they were the last members of the senior staff to arrive …… as usual!

"Starbuck! Boomer! I'm so glad you could make it!" Apollo said sarcastically as the two tardy Warriors took their seats. "Now that we're all here, we can get down to the business of choosing command crews for the twelve new ships of the fleet and decide which ships of the present fleet we're going to leave behind."

"I asked some of you to go over the personnel records of those people you thought would be best suited for positions of command. If you have your recommendations completed, I ask you know to place them into the computer interface and download your recommendations."

Boomer, Starbuck, Sheba, Omega, Bojay and President Tigh each took out a disk and placed it into the small computer interface on the table before them. The computer downloaded the information from the disks and recorded the recommendations for Apollo's review. Once this was completed, Apollo thanked them all for their hard work and dismissed Sheba, Bojay and Omega, retaining Boomer, Starbuck and President Tigh to begin organizing the new fleet.

After nearly two full days of deliberations, the senior officers of the fleet had finally come up with what they believed to be the best possible plan for the new fleet.

"I'm sure glad that that's over with!" Starbuck said as he stood up from his chair for the first time in six centars. He stretched one way then the other, trying to get the knots out of his muscles.

"We're not done yet Starbuck." Apollo said as he too stood up to try and work out a few kinks.

"What do you mean, "We're not done"?" Starbuck asked. We just spent the last two days going over what ships to keep and which ones to leave behind, who was going to command each ship, who was going to lead what squadrons, what else is there?"

"Now we have to start notifying everyone of their new assignments and start moving people onto their new ships." Apollo told him. "Boomer, you'll be in charge of billeting and housing. Starbuck, you'll coordinate the fleet's shuttles for all transfers of material and personnel."

"Yea ah but, who's going to take care of the squadrons if I'm doing all this other felgercarb?" Starbuck asked, not wanting to get involved with moving people around the fleet.

"Sheba will handle the strike wing for the time being." Apollo said, knowing where Starbuck was heading with his question. "After all, she's going to have to get use to it!"

"Yea, I guess you're right." Starbuck finally gave in.

"Good, now that that's settled, let's call all the new ship commanders together and start handing out their new assignments." Apollo said.

Two centars later, most of the senior officers of the fleet had gathered in the war room of the Galactica waiting to find out why they had been summoned. There were a few that knew the reason for this meeting, or at least thought they did, but most had no idea what was about to transpire.

It was at this time that the hatch slide open and President Tigh entered the room followed by the members of the Council of the Twelve. All those present stood as the council members took seats along the wall near the head of the table that dominated the room. A short time later, the hatch slide open again, admitting Apollo, Boomer, and Starbuck. These three walked to the head of the table and took their seats. Apollo picked up a small gavel and rapped it on the table three times, calling the meeting to order.

"I'd like to thank you all for being here today and I'd like to give special thanks to President Tigh and the members of the council for joining us here on this very important occasion." Apollo began. "As you all know, we have been working around the chronometer to repair and ready the ships formerly of the Second Fleet for our own use. It has been a long and arduous endeavor, but at long last, the end is well within site. I am informed by Colonel Boomer and Colonel Starbuck that we should be ready to begin transferring personnel to those ships within the next secton."

This brought a round of applause from the assembled group. Apollo raised a hand to quiet the people down so he could continue.

"Before we can do this however, we must appoint command staffs for each of the new vessels. For the past few days, my senior staff and I, with the assistance of President Tigh, have been working on the staffing assignments for the new ships. And so, we are here today to hand out not only the new assignments, but for most, promotions befitting your new stations and duties."

The room began to buzz with the excited chatter of those in attendance. Once again, Apollo raised his hand to quiet the crowd, then he began to read off the assignments.

"The following officers will assume command of the five Destroyers. Major Greenbean, you will assume command of the Antiphates. Major Athena, the Cetus, Captain Barton, the Charon, Captain Brie, the Gyes, and Captain Cree, the Kratos."

The crowd began to applaud, then were once again quieted by Apollo as he continued.

"With these commands, go a promotion to the rank of Major to those of you that hold the rank of Captain and to Colonel for those that hold the rank of Major. Congratulations."

Another round of applause followed then Apollo began again.

"The following officers will assume command of the two Battle Cruisers. Major Deitra, you will assume command of the Egidon, Major Gilles, you will assume command of the Istvan. With these postings comes a promotion in rank to Colonel. Congratulations."

More Applause were heard then Apollo went on.

"The following officers will assume command of the two Gunstars. Colonel Bojay, you will assume command of the Chiron, Major Jolly, you will assume command of the Chimaera. With these postings, you will both be promoted to the rank of Commander. Congratulations."

The applause were louder then ever as Bojay and Jolly accepted the handshakes of their fellow Warriors. After about a centon, Apollo called the room to order again.

"The last three postings are for the most important, and the most challenging positions of all …… command of a Colonial Battlestar. The three Warriors that have been chosen for this unparalleled task were chosen not only for their seniority, but for their past service and their knowledge of Battlestar tactics and operations. It was a difficult choice to make, but I believe we chose the best people for these positions."

The room had fallen silent as everyone in the room anticipated who the three new Battlestar commanders would be. Certainly Colonel Boomer would covet one of the prized postings, having been executive officer of the Galactica and vice fleet commander for the past eighteen yahren.

Another Battlestar command had to go to the irrepressible Colonel Starbuck. As the most skilled and daring Viper pilot of the last century, he had taken over the command of all the Galactica's squadrons when Apollo was promoted to Commander. His innovative flying techniques had become standard teaching at the Colonial Service Academy, which was under the command of Commander Croft.

That left only one command and that had to go to Colonel Sheba. As commanding officer of Silver Spar Squadron, she had led her troops into many a battle against the Cylons while serving under her father, the legendary Commander Cain aboard the Battlestar Pegasus. Giving her the third Battlestar was a no brainier!

"And so, the following officers will assume command of the three Colonial Battlestars. Colonel Boomer, you will assume command of the Battlestar Corinthia, Colonel Starbuck, you will assume command of the Battlestar Carpathia."

Apollo paused for a moment as the applause grew too loud to be heard over. This was the moment he had dreaded.

"Major Omega, you will assume command of the Battlestar Octavia. Congratulations."

The applause were few as nearly everyone in the room sat in shock at the naming of Omega as the Commander of the Octavia.

None was more shocked then Sheba however!

She sat there in the front row of seats with her mouth hanging open, unable to utter a word. She could do little more then stare at Apollo, who was returning her gaze with a very sympathetic look of his own. He knew when he made this announcement, it would be hard on her, but he had his reasons for denying her a command of her own. He only hoped that she would understand.

Luckily at that moment, Boomer stepped forward and called the room to order. Everyone came to their feet in an instant and stood at attention. Then Boomer gave the command to dismiss and the assembled Warriors began exiting the room, eager to celebrate their new positions.

All except one!

Sheba stood in front of the podium still staring at Apollo. There were now tears in her eyes.

Boomer leaned over to Apollo and asked if he wanted him to stay. Apollo put his hand on Boomers shoulder and told him no, so Boomer and Starbuck, who was still standing behind Apollo made a quiet exit, leaving Apollo and Sheba alone in the room.

"Do you mind telling me why you assigned every senior officer their own command except me, or do I have to guess ….. COMMANDER!" Sheba shot out venomously.

Apollo was hurt by the use of his title instead of his name, but didn't let it show. He stepped down from the podium and stood in front of her. He tried to reach out to her but she quickly took several steps back from him, her anger a palatable thing.

"Sheba, I'm sorry! I know you wanted your own command, and believe me, nobody deserves one more then you do, but …" Apollo began, but was cut off by Sheba.

"But what! What reason could you have to give commands to officers that are far less experienced and knowledgeable about capital ship tactics then me?" She shouted at him, her tears beginning to flow. "I am every bit as good an officer as Boomer or Starbuck! Sure, they have seniority over me. Fine, but how can you chose Omega over me?"

"I chose Omega because he knows more about Battlestar tactics then anyone in the fleet with the exception of President Tigh." Apollo said loudly, his own anger beginning to rise. "He served as my father's bridge officer for nearly twenty yahren before I took over and has served as second officer since then. He is more then qualified to command."

"Maybe he is, but why didn't you assign me to another ship?" Sheba said, her anger diminishing somewhat. "I would have taken a Gunstar or a Cruiser. Hades hole, I'd have taken a Frigate if that's all there was. But not to get even a Frigate, I just don't understand!"

"I have my reasons for not giving you a ship of your own, and admittedly, some of those reasons are personal. I didn't want my wife on another ship." Apollo told her.

"Apollo, what does that have to do with it?" Sheba asked. "We would still be together."

"Oh really! When? When I came over to your ship or when you came back to the Galactica?" Apollo said. "And what about the children, who would they stay with? Would you take Aphrodite and I keep Adam with me? I wanted to keep my family together!"

Sheba began to cry harder now and moved into Apollo's open arms.

"I'm sorry Apollo; I don't know why it was so important to me to have my own command. I guess I just wanted to prove to myself that I was as good as my father."

"I know, but keeping you here was only part of the reason I didn't give you your own command."

Sheba turned her face up toward his with a look of confusion.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"Well, with Boomer and Starbuck off on their own, I need someone to be my new executive officer and Vice-Commander of the fleet!"

Sheba leaned away from Apollo and stared at him with her mouth hanging open.

"You want me to take over for Boomer?" she asked.

"That's right, I need someone that can handle not only the duties of running the Galactica's day to day operations, but also see to the coordination of all movements within the fleet. It's a huge responsibility, but I think you can handle it." Apollo told her. "So what do you say, think you're up to the challenge?"

Sheba's smile was all the answer he needed as she threw herself into his arms.

Two sectons after the new commanders were announced and they had put together their respective command staffs and ships crews, the fleet was ready to get underway. All ships had their fuel cells filled to capacity and food, water and all the other necessary supplies were loaded aboard. Since the older Battlestars were not equipped to handle the fleets Viper fighters, all the Vipers of the fleet were left on the Galactica until such time as the older ships could be retrofitted to accommodate them.

A search of the ships abandoned by the Second Fleet produced fifty six of the ancient "Scarab" fighters and twenty one of the "newer" Asp fighters. These were divided up between the three Battlestars and the two Gunstars as were the pilots of the Galactica's six squadrons with three squadrons (Blue and Red Squadrons plus the training squadron.) staying aboard the Galactica, Green Squadron going to the Corinthia, Orange Squadron to the Octavia and Silver Spar to the Carpathia.

The Gunstars Chimaera and Chiron, which were allotted only four Scarabs and one Asp fighter each, were assigned a dozen pilots from the reserve squadron until they could fill out their squadrons with new ships and pilots, which they hoped would take only a few sectars.

Finally, the last of the civilian personnel were being transferred to their new ships. All had gone fairly smoothly until Apollo received a message from Boomer aboard the Corinthia. He did not seem happy!

"What's the problem Boomer?" Apollo asked reluctantly.

"Same as the past ten times I've called, another one of the former civilian ship masters is complaining about leaving his ship behind and not being given a better posting then he received." Boomer said, his frustration all too apparent.

Apollo could feel his friend's frustration as he too had been bombarded with complaints from the former ship masters whose ships did not possess faster then light drives or had been designated as unfit to continue the journey.

"Who is it this time?" he asked.

"Buhner, master of the cargo ship "Red Star", it was one of the ships without FTL drive." Boomer said.

"Buhner huh," Apollo said thoughtfully. "What's his complaint?"

"He say's that since he was once a Colonial Warrior, he should have been given a commission and a posting as a command staff officer."

"I didn't know Buhner was a Warrior!" Apollo said.

"Oh he was a Warrior alright." Boomer said sarcastically. "He spent five yahren aboard the Rycon as an engineer before being released from service after the Battle of Cosmaro Archipelago. He became an engineer on the Red Star and eventually was made Master."

"I see, is he there?" Apollo asked.

"He's right here, hold on."

Boomer stepped away from the monitor and motioned for Buhner to step forward. A moment later, any older man with a shaved head and the most disgusting set of teeth Apollo had ever seen stepped forward. Apollo had to use every bit of self control he possessed not to show his utter revulsion at seeing this man.

"Engineer Buhner, I understand you're less then pleased with your posting as an engineer aboard the Corinthia, is this correct?" Apollo asked.

"You have the right of that Commander!" Buhner said angrily. "I've been a ships master for over twenty yahren and I was a Colonial Warrior before that, and the only posting I can get is as a common engineer! I think I should have been given an officers commission!"

Before he could say another word, Apollo cut Buhner off.

"Is that so? Well let me tell you what I think, I think that after reviewing your service record and taking into account your past service as master of the Red Star, I think you are damn luck to be given an assignment on any military vessel."

Buhner's expression changed from one of anger to one of absolute shock, as if someone had just slapped him in the face. He started to say something, but Apollo cut him off.

"I also think you are not qualified for a position as anything above a common engineer." Apollo continued. "Therefore I don't want to hear about how you deserve a position as a staff officer!"

Buhner was beginning to turn red from anger and humiliation. Again he tried to voice an objection, but Apollo was not going to allow it.

"Furthermore, if I hear of you causing any trouble while serving aboard the Corinthia, I'll have Commander Boomer throw you in the brig for the next ten yahren. Is that understood?"

Buhner's face went pale as his mouth worked soundlessly, trying to something ….. Anything!

Apollo continued.

"Now, I would strongly suggest to you engineer Buhner that you be thankful that you were given a posting to one of the war ships under the command of a Colonial Warrior and not one of the civilian ships, under the command of a civilian ship master, where as you know, the conditions can get rather, shall I say ….. unpleasant!"

Buhner was finished. He couldn't even look at the monitor with Apollo's face on it. He simply lowered his eyes to the floor and mumbled a very discouraged, "yes sir."

Boomer, who had been standing behind Buhner the whole time, was trying hard not to laugh as he listened to Apollo dress down the arrogant former ship master. When Buhner looked away from the screen, Apollo glanced over at Boomer and gave him a quick smile and wink. Boomer gave a slight nod of his head in thanks.

"Now, if there is nothing else you wish to discuss with me at this time engineer Buhner, I'd like to get back to my duties, after all, I do have a fleet to run."

Buhner said nothing, he simply removed the headset he was using and handed it to Boomer and walked off the bridge without uttering a sound.

Boomer took the headset, holding it with one finger as if it had fallen into the turbo flush, and placed it to the side. Then he donned another headset and began to talk.

"Apollo, that was a thing of beauty! I haven't seen a bigger bag of hot air deflated so fast since you pulled the plug on Sire Uri back on Carillon." Boomer laughed.

"Thanks, I'm surprised you didn't just shoot him thou." Apollo joked.

"Believe me, I was sorely tempted!" Boomer said. "So, now that that important personnel issue has been taken care of, when are we going to get moving? My people are ready."

"Were just waiting for the last few shuttles to land aboard the Carpathia and for Starbuck to give me the all secure. Once his people are ready to go, we'll be underway." Apollo told him.

"Always waiting for Starbuck!" Boomer said jokingly.

Apollo laughed as he heard Sheba behind him call over.

"Apollo, message from the Carpathia. They say they have landed their last shuttle and are secured from flight ops. Their awaiting your orders."

"Very well, tell them to stand by." He said to his new second in command, then he turned back to Boomer. "Looks like we're a go Boomer, stand by for the word."

"Right, Corinthia out!"

With that, the screen went dark. Apollo moved over to where Sheba was monitoring the final preparations for getting underway. The new bridge officer, Lieutenant Teal was busy double checking all her systems in anticipation of receiving the order to begin the next leg of their journey. Apollo looked about the bridge, watching his crew moving about their duties. He was very proud of the people that made up his crew, especially now that most of his regular crew members had been divided up amongst the other war ships of the fleet. Those people, many of whom were civilians, had stepped up and performed the duties usually done by Warriors admirably.

The last few stations reported in ready for departure so Apollo made his way over to his command station, where he donned a headset and switched on the fleet-wide frequency.

"May I have your attention please, this is Commander Apollo speaking. For most of the last four sectars, we have been working almost non-stop to recover and make operational the ships of the long missing Second Fleet. It took a lot of hard work and more then a little self sacrifice on the part of our people, but we did it! And now, all that hard work has come to fruition, because today, we begin a new chapter in our search for our lost brothers and sisters. Not those that we believe set out for the planet Earth, but for those that many yahren ago left these ships here. Today we will set out in search of the people of the Second Fleet!"

Apollo turned to Sheba and gave the order they had all been waiting for.

"Colonel Sheba, pass the word along to all ships, assume standard formation and move out. Heading seven nine seven Beta by five nine one, ahead one third."

"Yes sir!" Sheba said smiling, then passed the orders along to the rest of the fleet, a fleet that had recently numbered one hundred sixty three mismatched ships, now numbered just forty eight. This new look fleet was made up of four Battlestars, two Gunstars, two Battle Cruisers, five Destroyers, twenty tankers, six agro-ships, four industrial ships, two mineral ships, two livestock ships and of course, the Rising Star. Thou the fleet had been trimmed by well over a hundred ships, there was far more room then ever before for the people to live in. It was a much leaner and, more deadly fleet then the one that had left the Colonies twenty four yahren before.

"All ships are in formation and on course." Sheba reported.

"Very good. Stand by to increase speed to full." Apollo ordered.

"Yes sir."

"Increase to full speed, maintain course seven nine seven Beta."

"Increasing to full." Sheba repeated. "Maintaining course."

The ships of the fleet proceeded along at full speed for a time while the crews checked and double checked their systems to insure that nothing was amiss. Once all ships reported in and all was good, Apollo stepped over to his station and addressed the fleet again.

"May I have your attention please, this is Commander Apollo again. The fleet has increased to full speed and each ship has done a check of all systems. We have received a go from all ships; therefore, we will be increasing to light speed. It has been a long time since any of these ships have been pushed to that speed, even the Galactica hasn't gone to light speed in over twenty yahren, so we will need each and every one of you to be especially alert for anything that could lead to a potential problem. With your help, we should be able to do this without any problems. Thank you. Galactica out!"

Apollo turned to Sheba and nodded, "Pass the word to the fleet, all ships assume light speed formation and prepare to go to light speed."

Sheba nodded her head and passed the word to the rest of the fleet. When she received acknowledgements from all ships, she informed Apollo. He in turn gave the order to increase to light speed.

The ships of the fleet again began to accelerate until they were traveling at the speed of light.

It was a heady feeling traveling at those speeds and the distances covered were astounding. Apollo had once figured that if they had been traveling at light speed from the day they left the Colonies, they would have reach the dust cloud in just over four yahren, not the twenty four yahren it had taken. Now, with so many fewer ships, there was an abundance of fuel and this would allow them to travel at a much greater speed then before.

The question Apollo had to answer now was, how long of a voyage would this turn out to be?